The brothers who fought for me (by Levi Bennett) novel Chapter 8

**A Promise Lost Between Two Worlds by Jaxon Hale Ryder**

Ezekiel’s expression was one of clear frustration as he grasped the phone, his fingers moving deftly over the screen to dial that all-too-familiar number. Each press of the button felt like a futile attempt to breach a barrier that had been firmly erected between him and the person he desperately sought to reach.

A chilling, automated voice echoed through the receiver, cold and unyielding.

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…”

The monotony of the message was maddening.

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…”

He could almost feel the irritation coursing through his veins, a deep-seated anger that was reflected in the tension of his clenched fists.

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable…”

Ezekiel’s frustration boiled over; his face flushed with rage, veins standing out sharply on his forehead and hands.

“Can’t get through either,” he muttered bitterly to himself, the weight of helplessness settling heavily on his shoulders.

With each attempt, the same unyielding message greeted him, a stark reminder that Juliette had severed yet another line of communication. It was painfully clear that this number had also been added to her growing list of blocks.

Giovanni, sitting nearby, furrowed his brows tightly, the seriousness of the situation deepening his expression. He could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken words hanging between them like a thick fog.

Just then, Leilani emerged from the cabin, two steaming cups of coffee cradled in her hands. Her voice was light and teasing as she announced, “Gio, Ezzie, the announcement just reminded us to switch our phones to airplane mode for takeoff. Come on, relax a little! You’re here to have fun, not just work all the time.”

With a flourish, she placed the cups of coffee in front of their seats, her smile brightening the atmosphere.

“I just learned how to make fancy coffee from the flight attendant. Give it a try and let me know what you think!”

Giovanni accepted the coffee, his fingertips brushing against the warm ceramic. “Thank you,” he replied, his voice soft, almost distracted.

Leilani settled down next to him, her playful demeanor shifting to mock indignation. “I’m your girlfriend now, and you still keep saying thank you. What kind of boyfriend does that?”

Giovanni paused, his attention caught between her words and the coffee cup in his hand. Instead of responding, he draped a blanket over her shoulders, a protective gesture that spoke louder than words.

He remembered looking down into the mug, noticing the remnants of half a sugar cube, coconut jelly, and tapioca pearls floating about.

It bore little resemblance to actual coffee, more like a whimsical concoction than anything else.

Yet, the anticipation lighting up her face made it impossible for him to turn her down.

Just as he was about to reach out and take the mug, Ezekiel burst through the door, fresh from a basketball game, and with a careless flick of his wrist, sent the cup crashing to the floor, coffee splattering everywhere.

“Is this coffee or oatmeal? Who puts coconut jelly in coffee? I think you’re trying to poison Gio!” he laughed, the mischief in his tone unmistakable.

Juliette’s face flushed with indignation, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she raised her foot to kick Ezekiel.

But as she caught sight of the darkening expression on Ezekiel’s face, she faltered, retreating behind Giovanni and clutching his shirt tightly. “Gio, save me, he’s going to kill someone!” she whimpered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and humor.

Reflecting on that moment, Giovanni couldn’t help but smile, the tension in his heart easing as he recalled the innocence of their youth.